It was good news Monday for the Dutch Harvest Farms events venue project. After an uncomfortable negotiation with Planning Board members on sound mitigation and a few other details the Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan review. But the Osmica project on Emmons Road faced more opposition, at a continuation of the project's public hearing Monday, by neighbors who fear their properties will be subject to stormwater flooding, light and noise pollution.

Owners Kurt Martin and Allison Trdan tried to assuage some of neighbors' concerns in a written response as well as during Monday's edition of the public hearing. Martin presented some clarifications to the site plan, and Trdan answered questions about their intentions regarding how the property will be used. She said that the couple is planning to host daytime events for the most part, at least for now.

Lansing school taxpayers can expect a budget increase of approximately 2.36% in the 2019-20 school budget. School Business Administrator Kate Heath told the Board Of Education Monday that current projections are for a 30,794,650 budget. She said that the proposed budget is $727,450 more than last year's total.

"We are deep in the budget process," said School Superintendent Chris Pettograsso. "We're looking at all of our current programs, our student population. We're looking at what we have -- things that might not be working and things that are working. And we're looking at where we would love to be and how we can get there with the resources available to us. We are coming up with recommendations to the board on how the district delivers services, and new things the schools would like to do."

Lansing suffered the second significant power outage in a week yesterday, when almost 5,500 customers were left without power. According to a witness, a power line on Peruville Road fell, resulting in a fire in a circuit breaker box. The outage lasted just under two hours for many customers.

"Our records show there is an interruption in your area affecting approximately 5,497 customers," a call to NYSEG yielded. "The estimated restoration is at approximately 12:15pm."

TCAT's No. 1 priority is to address persistent bus shortages that have forced the agency to cut a number of peak time trips over the past several weeks.

An aging fleet, maintenance staff turnover, more stringent NYSDOT regulations, all combined, have thwarted efforts at keeping TCAT's full fleet of buses in service.

To mitigate inconvenience to passengers, TCAT dispatchers have been strategically canceling trips on high-frequency routes, such as routes 10, 30 and 82, knowing that riders can catch the next scheduled buses in a shorter period of time compared to lower-frequency rural routes. Nonetheless, TCAT officials apologized to passengers who are encountering service disruptions.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced the release of its new Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook (Guidebook) to assist local permitting authorities and the energy storage industry across New York State in navigating the siting and review processes for the development of battery energy storage projects. The release of the Guidebook supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's target to deploy 3,000 megawatts (MW) of energy storage by 2030 and the Governor's Green New Deal, a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda that puts New York on a path to a carbon-neutral economy.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Under Governor Cuomo's nation-leading commitment to deploying 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, New York is rapidly becoming one of the leading markets for energy storage development in the U.S., and this new Guidebook will be a critical tool for local governments, developers, and customers who seek to adopt energy storage solutions. Energy storage is a key resource in our ability to build the 100% clean electricity system of the future, and NYSERDA is committed to providing hands-on resources to communities all across New York as we build a cleaner, more cost-effective and more resilient energy system for the long term."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that the New York State Police and local law enforcement will conduct a special targeted enforcement detail this upcoming St. Patrick's Day weekend to deter drinking and driving. The traffic enforcement detail, which is funded through the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, begins on Friday, March 15, 2019 and runs through Monday, March 18, 2019. Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, underage drinking and sales to minors details during the campaign. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices.

"If your plans for St. Patrick's Day weekend include alcohol, please make the responsible decision and plan for a safe ride home," Cuomo said. "One bad decision can turn celebration into tragedy, and state and local law enforcement will be out in full force to keep our roadways safe."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last Friday that $2.3 million in funding is available through round four of the Climate Resilient Farming grant program for farmers in New York State. The grants will help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for and recover after extreme weather events. Since the launch of the program in 2015, a total of $5.1 million has been provided to 40 projects across the state, helping 70 farms implement critical projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy savings, mitigate water and soil quality concerns and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change.

"Extreme weather is the new normal and it is becoming more and more unpredictable each year," Governor Cuomo said. "This funding is vital to helping farmers mitigate the impact of climate change and allows them to take the necessary measures to protect their crops and livestock from damage caused by extreme weather while also helping reduce their environmental footprint."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week that a wide array of free resources and services are available to New Yorkers to help meet their tax-filing obligations before the April 15 deadline. Eligible taxpayers can electronically prepare and file their returns for free using software available at the Tax Department's website. In addition, all filers can track their refund online at no cost and communicate directly with the Tax Department.

"Tax season doesn't need to be complicated or expensive," Cuomo said. "This suite of free online services and guidance will help to streamline the filing process, and I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to take advantage of these resources."

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WFP-125AD, Tompkins/Cortland) announced Thursday that a bill she co-sponsors to protect the Finger Lakes Region from construction of new trash incinerator facilities has passed the Assembly. The bill would prohibit issuance of required permits for incinerator facilities in the region, including the proposal to build a new trash incinerator on a 48-acre parcel of the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, which has caused widespread concern throughout the Finger Lakes.

After hearing about the proposed project last year, Lifton brought the issue to the attention of her colleague, Assemblymember Michael Cusick, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee and worked closely with him to draft the bill. The Assembly then worked with the Senate to get a companion bill that could become law.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that Taste NY Farm Markets will begin at New York State Thruway service areas for the 2019 season on Monday, April 1. The Taste NY Farm Markets will promote the world-class food and beverage products found around the State. The Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets are continuing this annual offering of the finest locally grown produce from New York's farms.

"Taste NY is an economic engine in every corner of the state and has expanded New York's booming agriculture industry," Governor Cuomo said. "These farm markets at Thruway service areas will provide farmers and producers a unique opportunity to showcase their products to millions of tourists, supporting the growth of farms and small businesses across the Empire State."

An audit released Wednesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found the NYC Department of Education (DoE) was not doing enough to report incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination as required by the state's Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).

"It's been six years since DASA took effect, but in some ways providing a safe, supportive learning environment is still a work in progress," DiNapoli said. "Even before school officials report bullying and discrimination to the state, there seems to be confusion at the local level over what needs to be reported. Underreporting and late reporting of bullying puts students at risk of further harassment. The city's Department of Education can and should do more to protect students."

Senator Pam Helming announced Tuesday legislation she supports to end pay-to-play state contracting has passed the Senate. The legislation bans campaign contributions from vendors who either are seeking state contracts, have been awarded state contracts, or are lobbying for such an opportunity. The bill (S.3167) recently passed the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support, and it will now go to the Assembly, where it is currently being considered by the Assembly Election Committee.

"Many recent court cases have highlighted the need to bring more transparency to the state bidding process. We need to clean up Albany and restore the public's trust in state government. Passing legislation to put a stop to pay-to-play politics is a good start. Those who do business honestly should be rewarded, and all businesses deserve a fair shot when they are bidding. There is much more we must do to regain the people's confidence, but this legislation starts us down that path. I applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this measure, and I urge my Assembly colleagues to pass it soon," Helming said.

"Tax reform slashed taxes across the board, saving the average family we represent $1,600 and enabling small businesses to grow and expand," Reed said. "Today we're seeing the fruits of tax cuts: the lowest unemployment rate since the 1960's for women and minorities, the largest wage growth in more than a decade, and economic optimism at a 10-year high."